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Update…

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Thought I would post something since there hasn’t been much happening on here lately and let you know what’s up.

This week is flying by. I have most of the administrative stuff done, but need to finish Sunday AM’s sermon on Jesus’ Greatness from Mark 14:12-21 and the PM message on God Acts from Hosea 2:2-23.

Friday night is HomeWord, and that sermon is complete. It is on Staying Together from 1 Corinthians 7:10-11.

Other things happening include…

Our Church’s Missions Festival (Eyes Open Weekend) with my good friend Freddy T coming to town March 27-29.

A Men’s Retreat looks like it will take place on April 24-25 and our guest speaker will be Mike Hubbard from Genesis Church, Eureka, MO (a burb of STL).

There are also things in the works for the fall with our former pastor Rick Cornish (currently serving as one of our church’s missionaries, doing international teaching) and his family coming to join us September 19-21.

Not to mention that a Good Friday service with Union Valley Bible Church and our church’s Easter celebration is just around the corner.

April 21-23 I travel to The Gospel Coalition.

My Wednesday night study is working through David Martyn Lloyd-Jones Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. Tonight we are in chapter 23 on “The Tree and Its Fruit”.

So, I say all this to say, there are many things on my mind. Oh, one other thing, we put our house on the market to look for something a little bigger. So, on top of all these things, we are praying and thinking about what God would like to do in that situation.

In all these things we have but one firm confidence: God is in control. Knowing that He is full of mercy and grace–having expressed that so vividly with Christ’s work on the cross–means these activities and considerations are merely part of the joy we get to experience in seeking to glorify and enjoy Him. Pray that we would remain faithful to Him in these things.

3/8/09 Recap…

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Having already brought out a quote from last night, I thought it would be good to reflect on the morning. The sermon, Devotion, from Mark 14:1-11, is online.

I was really struck by the devotion of this woman and realized that often I play the part of those who scoff at her. I ridicule and make others with a different expression of delight in Christ appear to be less than ideal. I do this because I want my expression of delight to be the standard. Some of this occurred to me as I was quoting what those people were saying — “This money was wasted on Jesus, it could have been given to the poor.” It is almost sacrilege to say such a thing. She was delighting in Jesus and those others were wanting themselves to look better. She was the only one who understood who Jesus was and what He was worthy of.

To put it simply – I need to be more concerned about my own delight in Christ and not so concerned about others’.

Dr. Whitney’s Stuff…

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One of my former professors, Dr. Don Whitney, has a website (Biblical Spirituality), which is really a treasure-trove of resources for your sanctification. It would be worth your time to read some of the content found there, including excerpts of his books.

2 things of recent note:

A new article — 10 Questions to Ask to Benefit from a Conference/Special Event

A free audio book — Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is available as a free download from Christian Audio.com. Here’s the skinny from Dr. Whitney’s site:

ChristianAudio.com is making Don’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life their free download of the month for March. This unabridged, nine-hour professional recording is still available for purchase on six CDs. But during March it may be obtained for free here. Add the “download” format (not CD) to the shopping cart, and enter the coupon code MAR2009 when prompted at checkout. Afterward, click on the green “Free Newsletter” link and be notified each month about ChristianAudio.com’s free download.

Your soul will benefit from these and other great resources found on Dr. Whitney’s website.

Lot’s Wife…

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I came across Luke 17:32 in my devotions this morning and really benefited from Mark Altrogge’s post on “Remembering Lot’s Wife” when it came up in my feed reader this AM.

Here’s the final two paragraphs:

Remember her love of the world, her attachment to things. Her failure to wholeheartedly follow the Lord. These things cost her her life.

Jesus is returning. Invest yourself in heaven. Give your life away serving others. Give to the kingdom and the poor. Follow Jesus with all your heart, and you’ll be ready when he comes.

Remember Lot’s wife and I’m sure you will see why these conclusions are reached. Enjoy.

Great Harlotry…

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My first installment through the book of Hosea, Spiritual Adultery, is online. At the beginning of the sermon, I quote from Ray Ortlund Jr.’s book, God’s Unfaithful Wife:

The harlotry of Israel and the jealousy of Yahweh exploded in crisis in the 8th century BC. During the northern kingdom’s autumn of prosperity and then their final spams of self-destruction, the prophet Hosea was called to alert the people to the true reason for their national decline. It was not ultimately a failure of political manoeuvering, military power or financial resources. The explanation lay deep within the covenanted people themselves. Israel was an unfaithful wife, sharing her love with both Yahweh and the Baals, and her lawful husband could no longer support her affairs with other lovers through further manifestations of his mercies. (p.47)

Sounds like the American church, doesn’t it?

Back In The Saddle…

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Yes, I’m back in the office today. Hoping to finish sermons on Mark 13:28-37 and Hosea 1:1-2:1. Then, tonight’s class on Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, considers the narrow way we live in the Christian life, based on Matthew 7:13-14. Have phone calls to return, emails to work on, business to attend too. Ah, it’s good to be back.

Study Day…

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Yeah, it’s a Tuesday. There are some things hopping in life and I feel like I needed to get away for a study day. I do these occasionally. Sometimes I just read, sometimes I’m quiet, sometimes I’m listening or watching something, but they are always productive.

Today, my big task is prepping for a new sermon series I’m starting this coming Sunday evening through the book of Hosea. Mark in the mornings, Hosea in the evenings — this is my habit now. Needed to get away, though, to wrap my mind around the argument of the book.

Also finished reading (again) Tedd Tripp’s excellent book on parenting, Shepherding a Child’s Heart. After reading I’ve noticed how I settled into some bad habits of just addressing Andrew’s behavior and not his heart. This was a welcome and needed reminder. We are planning on working through this material and the DVD seminar to go with it during the summer.

Anyway, if you read this blog, could you please pray for me today. Spiritual focus is needed and God can provide it. Hope the Lord’s blessing is extended to you as well.